Fruit and vegetable slicer.



0. B. ROYER & A. A. RIGKERT.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SLICER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 23, 1906.

1,040,582. Patented 0013.8,1912.

2 SHEETBSHEBT 1.

mum N S WITNESSES A Z gag/Tons C ar es o yer' a?! C, Wrfix By Az gukiflfiz'ckenf (J. E. ROYER & A. A. RIOKERT. FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SLIGER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 23, 1906.

Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

2 HEETS-SHEBT 2.

W C W! C/QCLI'ZBSE- Foyer B y AugusiA Ric/Cerf V 5 FRUIT AND vncinrasnn snlosn.

fipcolficattonot Letters Patent. Application tiled as. esfmos. sewn n. 331,718.

Patented 0ct.8,1912.

To all who'mz't may concern Be it known that we, CHARLES E. Roman and AUous'r'A. Rlcicnar, both-citizens of the United States, and both residin at. Erie, 1n the county of Erie and State oi Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Fruit and Vegetable Slicer, ofwhich the following is a specification. h y

This invention is a device for cutt ng fruits and vegetables into sliccs.uniformly and regularly.

One object of the invention is a device of simple and cheap construction by which the operation of slicing a fruit or vegetable may be performed with ease and rapidity. I Another object is to accomplish the cutting operation wit iout exert-in appreciable pressure on the substance unc er treatment, thus avoidinga tendency to s ueeze the substance, whereby slicin of t to fruit or vegetable may be' accomplished without setting free any substantial quantity of juice.

, A further object is to provide means for collectingthe small quantity of juice which may escape during the cutting operation.

he several parts of the device are arranged to be easily separated for emptying the fruit'and' the juices and for cleansmg them. The part for holding the substance while it is being-cut is removable with the sliced fruit for the purpose of holding the slices closely together, thus confining the sliced fruit or vegetable so as to expose to the air a com )aratively small area of the surface cut by the device.

0ne feature of the invention comprises a receptacle for holding a fruit or vegetable, and cutting mechanism adapted to enter said receptacle and sever the fruit into slices, said receptacle being removable with the sliced contents therein.

In one practical form of the invention, the receptacle is a cup provided with slots, thelatter being adapted to receive the knives or blades of,said cnttin mechanism. The cup may bevariously s taped andmade in various sizes accordin to the nature of the fruit orvcgetable it is intended to receive. The cutting mechanism may have its knives or'blades arran ed in different ways; for example, thebla es ma ya'adiate from a corny mon ccn'ter,.in order that the cutter'may en-- tor the substance with the least resistance, exert a draw or shear cut thereon,- and divide orsevct'ffthe fruit-I into segmental slices.

Again, thccatter may ba provided with parallel knives or any other arrangement of such knives may be employed to adapt the cutter for special uses.

The invention consists, also, in the employment of a stripper cooperating with the mives of the cutting mechanism and operating to revent the substance under treatment from tollowing the knives on their withdrawal from the aforesaid slotted cup.

The invention consists, further, of an adjustable carrier for a liquid collecting vessel, said carrier being, preferably, pivoted to the base of the device and adapted to be swung out of line with the cutting mechanism for the purpose of removing the collecting vessel and the slotted receptacle withoutliability of the operators hands touching the cutting mechanism.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device for slicing fruits and veg tables embodying our invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view, the plane of the section being indicated by the dotted line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of one type of cutting mechanism which we may emplo in our device; and Fig. 5 is a detail view inside elevation of a cup adapted to hold the substance to be sliced. Fig. 6 is a cross section through another form of cutgilng mechanism wherein we employ parallel a es.

In the construction of our device, shown by the drawings, we employ a base A, the same being provided with a chamber a, which opens through one side of the base, as indicated at a in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. Extending upwardly from the base, at the respective sides thereof, are short vertical posts I), which may be attached to the base, or cast in one piece time with, and from the rear portion of the base extends another post a, the latter being providecl on the side of the base opposite to the ,opening a',' and being situated about midway between the guide posts 6.

B designates a carrier or sup )(n't for a liquid containing cup or' receptac e C. The

carrier isjshown by the drawings in the fprm of late or ring having a handle I), and slug 2?, said carrier ban arranged to rest upon the upper part of the base A, in onejposition, thereof. Said carrier, however, is connected to the base for movement relative thereto,.and, as shown, the carrier is attached pivutally to said base by means I flanged edg BEST AVAILABLE COP said base at a point quite close to one ofthe guide posts b. It'is evident tliait-the car rier B may be swun 'in a horizontal lane on theaxis afforded" y the pivots'b, w ierc-" by the carrier maybe adjusted torestpn the base substantially as shown by Fi s 1 and 2, or it may belswung outwardly tro n saidbase to the position shown by Fig. 3.

In the upper edge of the carrier is provided a recess adapted to receive a circuiufereiitial flan e 0", which is rovided at the upper edge or the liquid col ecting vessel C. This vessel C may be made of any suitable material, as for example, glass, and it is fitted to the carrier B, for the flange c to rest within the recess 0', thus detachably' connecting the vessel C to the carrier, and "suspending said vessel from said carrier.

When the carrier B is adjusted to rest upon the base A, the vessel occupies the chamber a ofthe base, and it is in vertical alinement'with a cutting mechanism, but when the carrier is swung outwardly around the pivots b, thevessel C moves with said carrier and asses through the opening a of the base, tiiereby shifting the vessel b out of alineinent with said cuttin mechanism. The carrier B, or. its handle is provided with a notch b, in' one edge thereof, as shown by Fig. 8, and when said carrier is adjusted to'rcst' on thebasc, one of the posts I) fits within said notch b; I V

An important feature of this invention is a receptacle for holdin the fruit or vegetable, while the latter is subjected to the action of the cutting mechanism. The receptacle may be of various sizes and shapes, but in Figs. 2, 3 and of the drawings, we have re rescntcd a form of said receptacle whici is especially adapted for use in holding one half of a lemon. The receptacle D is represented as a cup open at the upper portion, and tapering toward its bottom portion. This cup is provided, at its upper edge, with arin or plate d, which, as shown, is extended to oriii a suitable handle The cu D is provided with a number of slots 0, whichlextend longitudinally thereof, and inthe construction shown by Figs. 2 and 5, these slots meet or merge one into the other at thelower pointed end of the c'u The sections'of the cup which are forms by the division slots e, are held in proper relation in any,suitable way, such as'by the rin d, and-the e2 ternal band c',"the latter )eing. rovided; externally of thej 'cup,-and, near tie lower? pointed end' thereofvl The. cup: --D,= and its rr e the ring (l rests on the'carrier= lhand the sel "C; 'The slotted cup extends into the vessel 0, and said slottcd'ei'ip is fitted removb ess s;

head F a lemoiiinto eight slices. '-e'i' er,-"desire to confine ourselves fto the spevfcialarrangement f and construction of the -lc'i'iives l-I, herein shown and .described, bcffca'use these knivcs maybearrariged in dif- I i'er'cnt ways for the purpose ofslicing a c' onfth'e 1i uidfeolleeting 'ves-,

sup iortedbythef B, and,,'a's shown in igs. 2 and 8,"

ably to the carrier, and within said vessel C, ,whereby-theslottedcup and its ring (l, may easily be lifted out of t ie vessel C, and away from the carrier B, the handle (1' affording convenient means for the 'manipulation of "said slotted cup.

p In the embodiment of the invention shown bythe drawings, the knives or blades of the cutting mechanism are carried by a cross- I .shown more particularly by Figs. 1, 2 an 4301* the drawings. Said crosshead is represented as a )late having perforated lugs or bosses f, the utter being arranged to fit loosely on the guidc posts b of the base. Between the bossesff, the crosshead F is provided on its upper side with other lu s {Q which support a connecting pin 9, the utter being arranged to play or move in a slot g, which is provided in one part of an angular operating lever G. The rear lower part of said operating lever is connected by a pin h, to the upper end of the fulcrum post 0, and said lever G is provided with a iandle h, whereby the lever may he operated readily for thepur ose of raising and lowering the crosshead i on the posts I) of the base.

One form of the cutting mechanism suitable for use in connection with the slotted cup B is shown by Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, as comprising1 a plurality of knives or blades I-I,'each de consisting of a'tlat ie'ce of metal having a straight cutting ec ge 12. and a beveled cutting edge It. The blades are provided at their upper ends with flanges ii, adapted to engage with the underside of the crosshead F, to which the blades are secured by means of screws ii", or

theirequivalents.

Said blades are arranged in radial positions, for the inner edges there of to meet or cnga e one with the other at the axis or longitu inal center of the cutter, and the beveled edges Ii of said blades converge downwardly to the center of the cutter, thus giving the cutter a pointed or conical-shape. The blades of the cutting mechanism are attached rigidly to the crosshead for the purpose of moving vertically therewith when said crosshead is raised and lowered on the guides b, by operating the hand lever 'G. As shown by the drawin the cuttingyniechanism comprises eight filades or' knives, which are arranged on the crosshead to cooperate with a similar number of slots c, int cup D, said form of cutting mechanism and cup being adapted to divide We do not, howfruit. or vegetable into parallel Tslices,in-

stead of segmental pieces. It is evident that a suitable number of knives may be arranged parallel to each other, as shown in Fig. 6 of knives and blades easily and quickly from the substance in the cup D, we provide a stripper I, through which the knives or blades are adapted to move freely. The stripper is shown by Fig. 3 as a plate having lugs z', fitting on the guide posts I), andsaid plate is provided with slots 2'', corresponding in number and arrangement to the blades of the cutter.' As shown, the stripper is provided with eight slots arranged radially, and meeting at a common center, and through these slots are adapted to travel the blades H, when the crosshead is raised or lowered. The stripper is fitted to the guide posts to lie above the base, the carrier, the liquid collecting vessel, and the slicing cup, said stripper being independent of the aforesaid parts. The stripper may be fitted loosely on the posts B to have a limited up and down movement thereon, or said stripper may occupy a stationary position above thebase. The operation of. our invention of slicing a lemon is as follows :The fruit is cutin half, and one half is placed in the cup D. The carrier B having been swung outwardly to the position shown by Fig. 3, and the lever G having been raised to lift the cutting mechanism to a raised position, the liquid collecting vessel 0 is slipped into the carrier B, so as to be suspended therefrom, andthe slotted cup D, with the lemon therei in is then slipped into the carrier and the.

into position over the base A, for one of the posts I) to enter the notch b", for the vessel C to occupy the chamber a of said base. The cup D, and the vessel C arein alinement vertically with the slotted stripper I, and

the knives of the cutting mechanism. The operator now depresses the lever G, .and forces the cutter. head F downwardly, whereupon the blades. or knives Hare moved through the slots i" of the stripper, and through the lemon contained in the cup B, and, also, into or through the longitudinal slots 6 ofsaid cup D.

It will be observed that the crosshead F I moves in a rectilinear path, andithat the sure thereon. Inother words, the fruit is cut into slices easily and quickly, withoutreceptacle C. After forcing the crosshead and the cutter downwardly inthe manner described for slicing the fruit or vegetable, the operator lifts the lever G, and with it the crosshead and the knives During the upward movement of the knives they travel easily through the slots z" of the stripper, the latter operating on the contents of the slotted cup D to prevent the same from following the upward movement of said knives, when the cutter is raised sufliciently to clear the cup D, the carrier B may, by its handle 6', be swung outwardly, thus correspondingly moving the vessel C, and the .cup D, whereupon the cup D may easily be lifted out of the carrier and the vessel. The sliced. fruit may remain in the cup D, which will thus serve as. a receptacle in keeping the slices of the. fruit quite close together, and excluding the free access of air to the surfaces of the slices, whereby the fruit maybe kept in a comparatively fresh condition. If desired, another cup D may be placed in the carrier with another half of a lemon, and the operation heretofore described may be repeated. It will be convenient, however, that the sliced fruit or'vegeta-ble may be discharged from the-cup D, and the latter replaced in the carrier, so as to use the same cup repeatedly in the operation of slicing the fruit or vegetable. V

Our new slicing device may employed for cutting any kind of fruit or vegetable into slices of various shapes, and it is evident that the device may be employed to excellent advantage in slicing pine-apples, oranges, apples, tomatoes, and, in fact, any fruit or vegetable.

Instead of cutting the lemon or other fruit or vegetable in half, as heretofore described, we may place a whole fruit or vegetable in a slotted cup of suitable shape and dimensions.

' It is evident that the vessel C, and the cup D, may be removed from the apparatus for the purpose of quickly and thoroughly cleansing the same, and, furthermore, the

blades H of the cutter are exposed for ready access, so that they may likewise oughly and quickly cleaned.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is be thormeans provided with radial slots, for bold ing the material to be severed,'and reciprocating cutting mechanism comprising ra- 1'25 1. Ina device of the classdescribed,

dial blades coiiperating with said holding I80 means and the slots therein and adapted to divide the material while retaining its shape. 2. In a device of the class described, a receptacle for holding and embracing the material to be operated upon, said receptacle being provided with knife slots, reciproeating cutting mechanism provided With radially inclined knives which are adapted to enter said receptacle and traverse the slots therein, whereb the material may be severed while retaining its shape.

3. In a device of the class described, a frame, a receptacle provided with slots for holding the material to be severed, a lever pivoted to the frame, movable cutting mechanism operated by said lever and havin g a slidable connection therewith, said cutting mechanism having a plurality of cutting edges which. diverge from a common center and enter the slots in said receptacle.

4. In a deviceof the class described, a receptacle for holding the material to be severed, said receptacle being provided with slots radiating from a commoncenter, movable cutting mechanism provided with radially arranged knives, the cutting edges of which diverge from a common center, said knives being adapted to traverse said slots,

and a juice receiver cooperatin with the holding receptacle for receiving ]l1lC6 there from.

5. In a device of the class described, a cross head movable in a rectilinear path, a plurality of knives carried by said cross head, means for operating said cross head, a receptacle having openings therein to permit the escape of liquid for holding the material to be severed, and an imperforate receptacle surrounding and supporting said perforated receptacle, for receiving juice therefrom.

6. In a device of the class described, a base, a carrier movable thereon, a receptacle supported by the carrier and removable therefrom, and cutting mechanism adapted to enter said receptacle and to cut material placed therein, and means for moving the carrier out of the path of the cutting mechanism.

'7. In a device of the class described, a movable carrier, two receptacles supported by the carrier, one being perforated and adapted to support the substance to be cut, and the other 50 positioned as to collect juice from said perforated receptacle, and reciprocating cutting mechanism adapted to cnter said perforated receptacle and to cut material which may be placed therein.

In a device of the class described, a base or frame, a juice collecting receptacle, a substance-holding receptacle provided with openings for permitting the escape of liquid therefrom, said receptacle being separately ren'iovable, and movable reciprocating cutso as to brin ting mechanism adapted to operate in said substance-holding receptacle. 7

9. In a device of the class described, a base or frame, a carrier movable relative thereto, a plurality of receptacles supported by said carrier, and reciprocating cutting mechanism adapted to operate on a substance in one of the receptacles.

10. In a device of the class described, a pivoted carrier, a perforated receptacle fitted removably to said carrier and movable therewith, cutting mechanism ada ted to enter said perforated receptacle an to cut material which may be placed therein, and means for moving said carrier out of the 1 path of the cutting mechanism.

11. In a device of the class described, a pivoted carrier, a collecting vessel supported by the carrier, a slotted substance-holding receptacle also supported by the carrier, an cutting mechanism adapted to cooperate with said slotted receptacle, said carrier and cutting mechanism being relatively movable them out of alinement.

12. In a evice of the class described, a frame, means detachable from said frame for holding the material to be cut and provided witi openings, cutting mechanism guidedby said frame. and a stripper supported by the frame in the path of the cutting mechanism and above the aforesaid holdin means for the material to be cut.

13. n a device of the class described, a plurality of blades, means for holding in the path of said blades the material to be cut, said holding means being provided with slots for the entry of said blades, and a slotted stri per through which said blades are adapte to operate.

14. In a device of the class described, a frame, a fruit receptacle provided with knife passages, said fruit receptacle being removabl supported on the frame, and cutting mec anism adapted to traverse said passages in the fruit receptacle, said cuttin mechanism embodying radially ositione blades provided with downward y curved cutting'ed es adapted to cut fruit confined within sai receptacle without exerting substantial pressure upon the fruit.

15. In a device of the class described, a frame, a reciprocating cutter carried thereby, said cutter being provided with a group of knives having inclined cutting edges radiating from a common center, a chambered fruit supporting device provided with radial slots corresponding in number and position to said knives, said slots being positioned for the knives to pass therethrough, and in juice collecting receptacle substantially incasing thefruit supporting device for receiving any juice which may be expressed during the cutting operation.

16. In a device of the class described, a,

frame, a fruit supporting device provided cutting the article held between with slots, cutting mechanism movable on said frame, the knives of said cut-ting mechanism being adapted to traverse the fruit supporting device and the slots therein, and a slotted stripper supported on the frame above the fruit supporting device.

17. A cutting device comprising a standard having a support connected therewith, a guidin ring having a central opening and a plurality of radiatlng slots, a reciprocating cutter having a plurality of radial blades and means for movlng said cutterthrough the guide ring for the purpose of the support and guide ring, as set forth.

18. A cutting device comprising a standard', a support connected therewith having names to this'specification, in the presence of two subscrib ng witnesses.

CHARLES, E. ROYER.

AUGUST A. .RICKERT,

Witnesses: FRANCIS CARRIGK, C. R. DENCH. 

